The Unique History of Terry McDermott, Olympic Gold and League Winning Medals

This history of Terry McDermott is probably well known among Liverpool fans going back to the early days of the 70’s and 80’s, but in the USA that same name has nothing to do with football, rather being famous for winning olympic gold medals in skating.

As the footballer Terry McDermott started his career the skater with the same name was on his swansong after winning the bronze medal at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. McDermott the skater was a sprinter competing in the 500 meter competition.

His total history of results are based on his participation at three Olympics during the 60’s, winning the Gold Medal in 1964 and the bronze as earlier mentioned in 1968. He finished 7th in his first on home soil in 1960, Squaw Valley, California.

We only have one Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish, and we can seperate father and son Frank Lampard, due to the fact that we have the knowledge. But to see Terry McDermott as one both performing greatly on ice and a football field was a new aspect.

Terry McDermott, the footballer, started his career at Bury FC, and was snapped up by Newcastle at an early age, being spotted probably in that FA Cup final against Liverpool in 1974, despite being on the losing side he must have given an impression.

After joining Liverpool shortly after the final, he never looked back, but as we all know returned to Newcastle to help them back to the top in a team with great talent, of course there was Kevin Keegan, but the likes of Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle also had their say in that team.

Terry McDermott never played in the 1982 World Cup, but was in the squad and had before played 25 times for The Three Lions, and a few of those games coming in the Euro’s two years earlier.

We all know what happened at Liverpool for Terry McDermott, being selected and a key player during those wonderful years and successes under Bob Paisley, winning the European Cup, UEFA Cup and league titles in 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1982.

Terry McDermott the skater managed to win his gold and when picking up the bronze he shared it with Norwegian Magne Thomassen. Terry McDermott the footballer had to see, being part of the England team, getting defeated by Norway, 2-1 back in 1981.

For Norway to defeat England in football back in 1981 was something that couldn’t happen, but on the day, with a carpenter in goal, a previous auditer and bankier in the heart of defense and some skillful amateur players working wonders, it all happened.

Norwegian football history was a fact, with Terry McDermott in the England side, just before that in the 1980 Olympics Terry McDermott were on the board of the comity and surely again part of US history as another great scater picked up five out of five possible goals in that competition, probably Eric Heiden was inspired by the only previous gold medalist from his country.

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